Family things to do near Military Museum in Boalsburg

Submitted by Mom-Lady t3_10b0wum in Pennsylvania

I’m looking to supplement a family day trip to the PA Military Museum. My kids are 14 and 11 and I’m ashamed to admit we’ve never been to the State College area. We would be coming from the Lancaster area and I don’t plan on staying the night. My kids’ interests are obviously military but also include trains, hiking, and science.

What’s nearby that would also make our day trip worth it? I’m hoping to build up my “yeah that was cool” credentials with kids that are increasingly more difficult to entertain as they get older. Thanks all!

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One_Awareness6631 t1_j47fdh0 wrote

You should take them to the Penn State Creamery.

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ThinkySushi t1_j48bmnk wrote

Counter offer, Meyer's dairy is much closer to the boalsburg military museum and is (in many local's opinions) even better than the creamery.

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myrealusername8675 t1_j48e0fd wrote

I'll second this. I lived in State College for a while and Meyer's has good ice cream as well.

If you're staying for dinner you and the family could walk around downtown State College. It's two streets, Beaver and College and there are good local restaurants.

I don't know how up your family is on Penn State but it could be fun for the kids to take their picture with the Nittany Lion.

I'm not up on science on campus but I bet if you called a science department (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) early enough ahead you could get a tour of some stuff. Check each department's website and see if there are any cool projects going on. Grad students would love to have someone to show off their research to.

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CollyLee0 t1_j489w14 wrote

Creamery + arboretum visit makes the perfect campus day out.

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CollyLee0 t1_j489tjd wrote

Gorgeous hiking at Shingletown Gap about 10 minutes from the Boalsburg military museum. Would highly recommend it if it's not too cold out while you're here.

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BrowniesAndMilk1 t1_j47jl5d wrote

Would you consider visiting a dentist simulator??

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nardlz t1_j496woh wrote

I am now extremely curious about this dental simulator. More info please?

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-zigzagzig- t1_j47wbyp wrote

Shavers creek environmental centre is about 20mins away and well worth a visit. There are some small hiking trails by the lake there too.

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PACubsFan23 t1_j48j9qi wrote

Historic downtown Bellefonte is worth the trip - Talleyrand Park, Courthouse, etc. Maybe not overly exciting for the kids, though.

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Sea_Assistant9531 t1_j48kv3b wrote

People in State College might not admit it, but unless you’re into the bar scene, there is very little to do there.

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[deleted] t1_j47wuzh wrote

Horseshoe Curve is about an hour away in Altoona, go watch the trains going around the curve.

Bald Eagle State Park is ~30 min away. Go for a hike around the park/lake, see if you can see some eagles. (Disclaimer: idk what the birdwatching is like in the winter)

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artificialavocado t1_j4aqg81 wrote

Well the stretch of 322 between Harrisburg and State College is pretty scenic. It’s been years but IIRC it follows the Juniata River.

The earth and mineral science museum on campus is pretty nice if they are into that kind of stuff. I’m pretty excited for the new anthropology museum but that isn’t opening until next year.

You should definitely hike Mount Nittany just so they can say they did it. It’s a pretty easy hike and the view is awesome.

r/Pennstateuniversity might have some good suggestions

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GalaMoruu t1_j4jb3rq wrote

The Penn State Arboretum, the Palmer Museum, Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery, Black Moshannon State Park, and Rothrock State Park.

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